Voice talent includes Luis Tosar (“Miami Vice”) and Geraldine Chaplin (“The Age of Innocence,” “Hable con ella”). The soundtrack will include original compositions by Philip Glass, Xavier Font and Arturo Vaquero.

“Spain has animation talent, but is behind in stop-motion. The idea is for the key foreign technicians to pass on their expertise, which can serve as a good base for the future,” Cortizo said.

Though the producers are still running the maths, the upgrade to 3-D looks set to add around 25% to a Euros2 million ($2.8 million) budget, Hazelrigg added.

Pic is co-produced by Rosalia Mera’s ROSP Coruna.

Going into production in August, the Spanish and Galician-language “Apostolo” is “an Agatha Christie-like suspenser, which drops clues to what’s really happening in the village,” said Cortizo.

Pic will world preem July 25, 2010, as part of the Xacobeo 2010 celebrations of Santiago’s Holy Year.